Page 56 of The Orc's Promised Bride

“Do you think he’ll tell her?” she asked Lothar as they headed back to their room, and he sighed.

“I would like to say yes, but I don’t know. I always thought Wulf was too stern and repressed but he’s practically giddy compared to Ulric. I know he has many responsibilities, but I believe that sharing them would help.”

They reached their room and as she started to close the door, she realized that her hands were still trembling from the intensity of the past hours. The familiar scent of herbs clung to her skin and clothes, reminding her of home - yet somehow this room, with Lothar, felt more like home than anywhere else she could remember.

“What you did back there was incredible,” he said, his voice full of pride. “The way you knew exactly what to do, how to help her…”

“I’m not sure that was all me,” she began as she turned to face him, but the words died away at the warmth on his face. But then his expression shifted, uncertainty creeping in as he ran a hand through his dark hair.

“About what you said earlier…” He swallowed hard. “Did you mean it? That you love me?”

This powerful warrior, who’d fought so fiercely to protect her, looked as uncertain as she often felt. She stepped closer, placingher palm against his chest, feeling his heart race beneath her touch.

“Yes,” she whispered. “I meant every word. You make me feel safe. Not trapped, not controlled - just… safe. Protected. Free to be myself.” Her voice grew stronger with each word. “I love everything about you. The way you make me laugh, how gentle you are with me, but also how fierce you can be when protecting me.”

His eyes darkened with emotion as he lifted his face skyward.

“Thank you,” he whispered, and she knew he wasn’t speaking to her. “Thank you for bringing her to me.”

When he looked back down at her, the intensity in his gaze took her breath away. He cupped her face in his big hands, brushing her cheeks with infinite tenderness. Then he lowered his head, angling it perfectly to accommodate his tusks, and claimed her mouth with his.

The kiss was different from their previous ones - deeper, more certain. She melted into him, sliding her hands up his chest to wrap around his neck as he pulled her closer. His warmth enveloped her, and she felt truly, completely safe for the first time in her life.

She quivered as his mouth moved from her lips to her neck, his tusks grazing her skin, and heat spiraled through her body.

“Tell me if you want to stop,” he breathed against her ear.

“I don’t,” she whispered back, her fingers tangling in his hair. “I want you.”

He carried her to the bed, laying her down with exquisite care. She reached for him and he followed, covering her body with his.His weight should have made her feel trapped, but instead she felt cherished and protected.

“I love you,” he murmured again as his lips trailed down her neck.

She sighed, tilting her head back to give him better access.

“I love you, too,” she whispered.

He kissed his way down her neck, lingering in all the places that made her shiver. She’d never thought a male could be so tender and thorough. Even the way his tusks rubbed against her skin was arousing. When his mouth found her breasts, she moaned, arching into his caresses.

His hand slid up her thigh, his movements slow and steady.

“You are so beautiful,” he whispered.

As his fingers teased the slick folds between her thighs, he captured her mouth again. She lost herself in his kiss as pleasure rolled through her body.

She could feel the hard length of him pressing against her, his cock lodged firmly between her thighs, but there was no fear, only desire. He continued to stroke her, his mouth moving back to her breasts. Her hands clenched at his back, nails digging into his skin, and his groan vibrated against her nipple.

“Please,” she whispered, arching her hips against his hand.

“Patience, my valai,” he murmured, but she could hear the strain in his voice.

“I don’t want to be patient. I want you, now.”

“My mate, are you sure?”

“I’m sure. I want this.”

His body trembled against her as he carefully positioned himself at her entrance.

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